United Kingdom Britten, Sibelius, and Walton: Gerald Finley (baritone), BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Edward Gardner (conductor), Barbican Hall, London, 10.12.2011 (CG)
Stan
Celebratory Brilliance and Gentle Introspection in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
United Kingdom Bach:Christmas Oratorio (parts 1, 3, 5 & 6: Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, Richard Egarr (conductor/harpsichord), Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 1.12.2011 (SRT)
Entrancing Christmas Berlioz in Cardiff
United Kingdom Berlioz, L’enfance du Christ: Anna Stephany (mezzo), Barry Banks (tenor), Mathew Brook (bass-baritone), Henry Waddington (bass), BBC National Chorus of Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Chamber Choir, BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thierry Fischer (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 9.12.11 (GPu)
Dohnanyi conducts the Zurich Tonhalle with Fine Bartok and Mahler
Switzerland Bartok, Mahler: Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Christoph von Dohnanyi, (conductor), Tonhalle Zurich, 11.10.2011 (JR)
Vladimir Ashkenazy Conducts the Philharmonia – With Mixed Results
United Kingdom Dukas, Ravel, Falla, and Debussy: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 11.12.2011 (MB)
Heartwarming Performance on a Stormy Evening from Lancashire Sinfonietta
United Kingdom Vivaldi, Handel, J. S. Bach, Debussy, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn: Sarah Whewell (flute), Eleanor Hudson (harp), Lancashire Sinfonietta/Andrew Watkinson (violin), Christmas Candlelight Concerto series, United Reformed Church, St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire, 08.12.2011 (MC)
The Triumphant Return of the Royal Physician to Copenhagen
Denmark Bo Holten, Livlægens besøg (The Visit of the Royal Physician): Bo Holten (conductor), The Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen, 2.12.2011 (NS)
The Choir of St John’sCollege, Cambridge: More Interesting in Purcell Than in Seasonal Music
United States Purcell et al.: Soloists, Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, St John’s Sinfonia, Andrew Nethsingha (conductor). Cadogan Hall, London, 9.12.2011 (MB)